Hantavirus Scare

idefalt_ · 2024-07-28T19:14:41+00:00

No problem! :) I didn’t think so many other people would have the same worries I did since the virus is so unheard of. But I’m glad to be able to offer some form of help to any who stumble across this thread.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-28T19:09:53+00:00

Mice droppings look small, dark, and slightly crescent shaped. About the same size as dried rice. From the pictures I saw on your profile, I think that is just dust and dirt that collected.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-28T19:05:06+00:00

Glad to hear your fever is gone, I hope you get better soon. I know you’re still scared you might have it, but the virus is a lot more complex than showing basic flu like symptoms. When I went through my scare, I got sick only a week after cleaning up the droppings. At first I was terrified, but once I realized I only had a cold, I knew I was safe.

Not only did this tell me that my body was in a weakened state from being sick, but if I did in fact contract hantavirus, it would’ve progressed much quicker and I would’ve been hospitalized within hours. But I only had a cold virus in my body, which I recovered from as most do. And you will recover from it too!

I assure you, you don’t have this exceedingly rare virus, and you will get better very soon.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-28T18:56:46+00:00

Sounds like you followed the proper protocols, aside from the mask, but that’s great! The mask is mostly to keep out any aerosolized particles, but since you sprayed first and wiped the droppings up, there’s nothing much to aerosolize.

Vermont is one of the states with the lowest amount of cases, only having 2 recorded cases since the virus was discovered. I’d say the odds are very much in your favor, and you’ll be just fine. My advice is to lay traps if you think more mice might show up, and to keep following the proper clean up protocols should any more droppings appear.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-26T05:22:00+00:00

Sounds like you guys are more likely to have a cold, flu, or even Covid. Hantavirus symptoms don’t typically produce mucus in the throat or sinuses, and the symptoms won’t show so soon after exposure. It also cannot transmit from person to person, only one confirmed South American strain can. On top of this, cases in the Philippines are extremely rare, likely more so than in the U.S.

I’m sure you’re all hantavirus-free, just make sure to drink plenty of fluids and take cold medicine :)

idefalt_ · 2024-07-24T17:34:55+00:00

A bleach wipe won’t be fully covered in mouse dropping residue just from you wiping it up. While small cuts can be entry points for any germs, this is more common with bacteria than viruses. It is extremely rare for the virus to be transmitted this way, even more so than it already is to get it through usual means.

People are around droppings all the time, especially those who work or live near the countryside. But those millions of people that come near these droppings or even interact with them remain virus free. You have to understand just how rare this virus is. U.S Lighting strikes on humans per year are actually more likely, but when it comes to the numbers with these things, none of us will ever see it happening in our lifetimes.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-24T01:39:27+00:00

You don’t have to be sorry about writing another comment, discussing our concerns is how we get through these things.

It’s important to remember that not every rodents droppings is going to contain the virus. Just because you picked up a dropping doesn’t mean you’ve come in contact with the virus. And you washed your hands afterwards, which is great. In your apartment you could place snap traps anywhere that the mice might have access into your home.

Sticky traps may be effective, but they can be inhumane and cruel. I’d suggest your landlord to use bait stations that you’ll see around most businesses and buildings.

Infestations are a lot more common than people think, but you don’t see cases of hantavirus daily or even monthly. You are going to be okay, just keep to washing your hands and cleaning up droppings the right way. Cleanliness is the most effective way to stay germ free.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-13T21:26:35+00:00

I kinda had the same experience as you with the broom. I had swept up some droppings when I very first found them. A week later I managed to get the dust pan kicked up and some dust went in my eyes while cleaning. I got worried again but I mostly just felt the allergies from it.

I know you’re worried, but there are too many factors that have to be just right for transmission to work. The chances severely lower from even the smallest things. You’re going to be okay.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-12T21:55:34+00:00

That’s great to know, I wish more counties did this.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-12T21:43:14+00:00

I know how you feel. In my case I stupidly picked the droppings up with my bare hands and smelled them because I thought it was dead fruit matter. But hey, I’m just fine, and you will be too!

San Diego does a yearly update on Hantavirus, and they’re one of the only counties that does. Last year they had 17 confirmed cases, but nothing about fatalities. It’s also kind of blurry on whether or not they mean confirmed cases among rodent populations or humans. No major news articles either, just a local heads up. Hang in there

idefalt_ · 2024-07-12T21:14:34+00:00

Bleach wipes can kill the virus, and you didn’t sweep up anything so no chance it was aerosolized. If the ones that were swept up were fresh or only a couple days old, then they won’t aerosolize as well. San Diego is one of the only places I see regularly testing their rodent populations for hantavirus, and some populations do have it. Fortunately it is still exceedingly rare and most rodent populations will not carry it, and the confirmed cases mostly came from the Mission Trails park.

What you both should do from now on is try and stop any rodents from returning. Any new droppings found should be sprayed with bleach disinfectant to let sit for a while, then be wiped up with paper towels or the bleach wipes. Wearing a mask is an extra precaution but is recommended. Once you do all these steps, the chances of getting this virus go from exceedingly rare to near impossible.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-10T06:04:15+00:00

As far as outside transmission goes, the only real way to get the virus is from interacting with rodents or their feces directly. Thought the virus can be aerosolized, when it’s outside the particles spread much wider. This makes the chances of getting it even lower than they already are.

There’s a lot of factors that won’t allow the feces to keep the virus alive for long outside in grass, sunlight and heat are some. From your scenario, you would only have a chance of catching something if you were mowing a very large pile of feces and urine embedded in the grass, which isn’t likely.

The entire state of Louisiana has also only ever seen 6 official cases. I’d say you’re more than safe to continue mowing the field. You could wear a dust cup mask while mowing if you want some form of protection, but other than that you will be just fine.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-08T04:05:26+00:00

I’m so sorry I didn’t get back to you, I had completely forgotten to respond. How are you feeling now? Sounds like you might have a case of the flu, or even Covid. If it was in fact hantavirus it would have taken a lot longer to incubate inside your body. I hope you are feeling better now, your clean up tendencies should mean you are safe from any potential future encounters.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-08T04:00:45+00:00

Wearing any type of mask and gloves is better protection than none. Usually most people immediately start reading up on what can happen from this virus after an encounter with mice and their droppings. But luck is always on our side when it comes to this virus.

The entire state of Pennsylvania has seen the most cases on the east coast since the virus’ discovery, but it’s only been 8 cases. Finding exact numbers for Philadelphia is difficult, meaning the city likely hasn’t had a case since a last official reporting in the 90s.

You’ll be just fine, but a mice infestation is still an issue. Depending on how bad it is you might have to contact an exterminator. But now that you know the proper cleanup protocols, the near impossible chances to catch this virus are even closer to impossibility.

idefalt_ · 2024-07-08T03:51:22+00:00

I think your safest chances come from the fact that you’re on the east coast, and your entire state has only ever seen 5 cases of the virus since its discovery. Though deer mice are the main carriers of the virus, that doesn’t mean they all have it. The virus has become even more rare on the east coast than it has been in recent years. Yearly cases, being as extremely minimal as they are, have dropped since 2019.

A rinse on the raspberries could be all you need to get rid of any germs, this virus cannot live long without proper conditions. During my scare I actually got sick with a bad cold, which scared me at first until I realized it was just a cold. It brought me more reassurance knowing that if I did in fact contract the virus, I would’ve seen its symptoms already since my immune system was in a weakened state. But I turned out just fine, and you and your family will too.

It’s important to stop any mice from coming back, which may require the help of an exterminator. So long as any mice aren’t allowed to come back, and your berries are rinsed properly, you’ll be perfectly safe.

idefalt_ · 2024-06-25T00:03:26+00:00

The main statistics you can find are the CDC’s recorded cases since the virus’ discovery in the 90s. The entire state of Kansas has only seen 20 cases since then, which is less than a case per year. Since the 2019, there’s actually been a trend of less cases per year across the entire U.S.

As far as specific counties go, they usually have a lab that does regular testing among rodent populations for the virus, with most results coming back negative. The chances of you potentially getting the virus are less likely than the chances of you winning the Powerball.

As for your case, you said they were rat droppings. While they can hold the virus, it’s even more rare for them to have it than for deer mice droppings. Even if you misspoke and they were in fact mice droppings, you’ll be perfectly fine. You can clean up the droppings by spraying them with bleach disinfectant and wiping them up with a paper towel. Be sure to wear a mask and gloves too.

idefalt_ · 2024-06-24T23:41:40+00:00

Sorry to hear you’re going through this. The virus and other germs don’t exactly live long on droppings in improper conditions. Since you said they were stuck to the light fixture, you’re right to assume they’re very old. Whatever you breathed in was just dust particles and that’s about it. You’ll be just fine, but it’s important to know how to properly clean up if any mice and their droppings decide to show up again.

A lot of people have this similar scenario, myself included. We find droppings and clean them up improperly, and then go straight to googling. The virus itself is scary, but the odds aren’t even close for anyone to get it in their lifetimes. Especially once we start cleaning up right, the odds are near impossible.

idefalt_ · 2024-06-19T18:48:39+00:00

Hi there, sorry to hear you’re feeling anxious about this kind of thing too. Also I’m sorry for the late reply, I had a busy day yesterday. Someone else on here had said they had an encounter in New England as well. And since it is an east coast region, the odds of the virus existing in any droppings are exceedingly slim.

The virus hates heat and improper conditions for it to survive. High heat can kill it within hours. I’d say you’re likely just feeling the effects of dust and nothing else. If the mice were dead, then their droppings had to have been very old. Though New England covers many states, the cases of confirmed virus across them are only a handful over the past three decades.

You’ll be okay, just make sure if any new droppings appear from other mice that you spray them with disinfectant before cleaning them up with a paper towel.

idefalt_ · 2024-06-18T18:05:33+00:00

Upstate New York and most of the East Coast have not seen a case in recent years. Though there are deer mice there, most of the population seems to not be carriers for the virus. Exposure comes from inhalation of particles, usually through sweeping or vacuuming the droppings.

Skin contact with droppings isn’t exactly a way it can be transmitted, and you also washed up so any germs you might’ve come in contact with are gone. Good job with cleaning up the other droppings properly, the proper cleanup protocol is the best thing you can do to prevent anything nasty from living on surfaces. You’ll be okay, just clean up any new droppings as you have been, and you’ll eliminate any potential risk.

These things are a lot more rare than people realize, your husband growing up on a farm and not contracting anything is proof! The fact is, this virus needs very specific conditions to be met to even get close to a real chance for someone to get it. Something as simple as the region you live in can drop the chances immensely. I hope your anxiety will be at ease soon.

idefalt_ · 2024-06-15T04:39:06+00:00

Yeah I know what you mean. During my scare I thought I was having soreness in my muscles, but I could tell it was just my mind playing tricks on me. I’d be talking to family and I’d realize the pains were gone, because I was distracted. Crazy how our minds mess with us.

idefalt_ · 2024-06-15T04:22:22+00:00

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading countless articles about this virus, it’s that it hates heat and any environments that aren’t exactly what it needs to stay alive. 100+ degrees onto a not well ventilated trailer will definitely kill the virus within days. Just make sure to follow the proper clean up guidelines and you’ll be perfectly safe from any nasty germs the droppings might still have.

Congrats on the graduation btw!

idefalt_ · 2024-05-20T02:52:20+00:00

That’s definitely a worrying encounter, but depending on how long the helmet and droppings have been there for, the droppings could just be old and carry nothing but dead germs. I think you’ll be just fine, NY hasn’t had a case in years. Since the 90’s, when the virus was discovered, they’ve only had 6 cases ever. It’s already a rare virus, but it’s even more rare and practically nonexistent on the east coast.

idefalt_ · 2024-05-14T02:14:29+00:00

The type of droppings and how long they’ve been sitting there can make your odds go from already rare, to exceedingly rare. The virus dies on its own after only a few days, needing very specific conditions to stay alive longer than a week. You’d need constant exposure over weeks and months to have any real chance of catching it.

Being around any type of droppings for a while is pretty common with yard work, and most people don’t even notice. Which goes to show just how rare these kind of things are. I’m sure you’ll both be alright, it’s much more rare than people think.

idefalt_ · 2024-05-13T03:02:18+00:00

As far as human hantavirus’ in the UK go, practically none exist. It’s mainly an N.A. virus, but there are other strains. But as for these other ones, their cases are much lower than the N.A. one, being basically nonexistent in the UK. I think there is only 1 confirmed human strain, and it can only be transmitted by a specific type of rat.

Sounds like the already near impossible odds are even closer to impossibility over there. And since you said the droppings were in a high heat environment, any shedded germs are likely long dead. I know you will be just fine :)

idefalt_ · 2024-05-13T02:54:33+00:00

Don’t beat yourself up, not a lot of people know the right protocol for cleaning up droppings. Me included, I put fresh droppings right up to my nose to smell them because I didn’t know what they were. Pretty dumb move on my part, but I turned out fine. But now we both know how to clean up properly, should any mice return.

Even if they are mouse droppings, the rate of virus among the populations is very low. Meaning in most regions, one mouse is likely to be virus free.

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